Fun Fashions for Fellas by Pegge Blinco

Fun Fashions for Fellas By Pegge Blinco With the hope of urging our gentlemen into fashions of our era, I offer suggestions for doable clothing – off the rack – simple, easy and uncomplicated. One of the best items a fella should have in his closet should be a light, putty-colored Docker pant or light colored washable linen slack. Add a white or pin-striped long sleeve shirt, a four-in-hand tie or bow tie – or no tie, suspenders or belt. For footwear, saddle shoes, two-toned wing tips or cap toes, light colored canvas shoes with rubber soles or buckskins … but NEVER athletic shoes!! A driving cap or straw boater completes the outfit. When the weather got warm, sleeves were rolled to and above the elbows, as short sleeves did not exist on men’s shirts until late 1931. To kick this up a notch, use the same light slacks and shirt, unroll the sleeves, add a blazer, preferably dark colored, single or double breasted, a bow tie, or four-in-hand tie – length was short – 45”, same shoes, straw boater or Panama hat, and he’s suitably dressed for lunch or afternoon party. 2006-03.doc Page 1 Revised 2/23/06 We are all familiar with the sports attire of knickers or plus fours, generally used for golfing, hiking and/or motoring. The home seamstress can create a pair by cutting 13-14” off wide trouser pants. This will allow for enough blouse to be 4” below the knee when finished. If this doesn’t work for you, contact www.tbarryknickers.com. To complete this very sporty look, add a great cable or plain-knit V-neck sweater, and don’t forget the collared shirt, bow tie if you like, and driving cap, if needed. A very easy formal look could be the ever-popular and never out of style tuxedo. Consider a trip to your local tuxedo rental shop, and find out when they have their annual purging of rented tuxes. The reduced-to-clear prices are great – just as great to have one on hand for weddings, New Years, costumes – whatever. Your tuxedo will require a winged collar shirt (also from the rental shop sale) a black bow tie, a Homburg hat, tall hat or derby, black highly polished shoes, and black socks. For extra splash, add a cane, white gloves and maybe a white silk scarf with fringed ends. Be aware: don’t wear hats that are too small; they shouldn’t sit on top of your head like a peanut! Another “dress” option you may like to consider: a white dinner jacket from the tuxedo rental shop for summer wear – with the same tux trousers or nice black slacks; add a cummerbund, the black shoes and socks. Really study the photographs and pictures; they tell us so much. Fun Fashions are not just fun to wear but rewarding. You have now completed the “look of the era”, enhanced by your beautiful car. A special “thank you” to Winnie Colwell for the use of pictures from her booklet “Men’s Era Fashions for 1928 1929 1930 1931.” # # # # # # # 2006-03.doc Page 2 Revised 2/23/06 .

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